Free South Dakota DPS Practice Permit Test - Practice Test 1 2026
This Practice Test 1 is modeled on the Department of Public Safety (Driver Licensing Program) (DPS) written knowledge exam, whose length the agency does not publish; to pass you need 80% correct. These 25 questions rotate through traffic laws, road signs, and right-of-way - the core topics the DPS tests most heavily. Every question includes an explanation, so you learn the rule behind each answer - not just whether you got it right.
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What's on the South Dakota Practice Test 1
The DPS does not publish how many questions are on the real South Dakota knowledge test, and to pass you need 80% correct. Practice Test 1 is a 25-question set drawn from 53 questions, scored against a practice target of 80%.
Topics in this test's question pool
- Road signs 20
- Traffic laws 16
- Safe driving 5
- Parking 3
- Right of way 3
- Emergencies 2
- Alcohol & drugs 2
- Vehicle equipment 1
- Speed limits 1
53 questions in the pool, 11 of them written specifically for South Dakota. Each attempt shows 25 in a new order.
Sample questions from this test, with answers
Want to test yourself first? Take the test above before reading these. Every answer below is checked against the source shown.
1. Under South Dakota law, how much space must you leave when passing a bicyclist on a street posted at 30 mph?
- A. At least 3 feet (correct)
- B. At least 2 feet
- C. At least 6 feet
- D. At least 10 feet
Why: SDCL 32-26-26.1 requires at least 3 feet between your vehicle (mirrors included) and a bicycle you overtake when the posted limit is 35 mph or less. You must keep that gap until you are safely past.
Source: official South Dakota driver handbook, p.62 (PDF p.62), Bicyclists (SDCL 32-26-26.1)
2. After holding an instruction permit, a South Dakota minor may obtain a:
- A. Restricted minor's driving permit (correct)
- B. Full unrestricted license immediately
- C. Commercial license
- D. Motorcycle-only license
Why: After the instruction permit stage, a South Dakota minor can upgrade to a restricted minor's permit, or to an operator's license once they are 16 and meet its requirements.
Source: official South Dakota driver handbook, PDF p.8, Instruction Permit (Under 18)
3. Green traffic signs provide:
- A. Warning information (hazards)
- B. Regulatory information (laws)
- C. Guide information (directions) (correct)
- D. Service information (gas, food)
Why: Green signs provide guidance information such as highway route numbers, exit numbers, destinations, distances, and directions. They help drivers navigate.
4. A center lane has a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line on each side, plus two-way turn arrows. Who may use it?
- A. Drivers from either direction about to turn left (correct)
- B. Drivers who need to pass a slow vehicle ahead
- C. Only buses and cars carrying two or more people
- D. Drivers waiting to merge into the right lane
Why: This is a two-way left-turn lane. Drivers from both directions share it, entering it only just before they turn left. It is not a travel or passing lane.
5. A flashing yellow arrow on a traffic signal means:
- A. Wait - the arrow is about to turn red
- B. Turn after yielding to traffic and pedestrians (correct)
- C. Turn freely - oncoming traffic is stopped
- D. Stop fully, then turn ahead of the oncoming cars
Why: A flashing yellow arrow means you may turn in that direction after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. It is an unprotected turn - proceed only when safe.
Source: Federal MUTCD 11th ed. (Dec 2023) 4A.04 Paragraph 01 B.2
6. When are you required to use headlights?
- A. Only at night on roads without streetlights
- B. At night and when visibility is reduced (correct)
- C. Only when it is fully dark, not in bad weather
- D. Only on highways at night, not on city streets
Why: Every state requires headlights at night and when visibility is reduced. The exact period varies: some states say sunset to sunrise, many say 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Many states also require headlights whenever your wipers are on or you cannot see a set distance (often 500 or 1,000 feet) ahead.
More South Dakota facts, the full requirements table and the printable PDF are on the South Dakota permit practice test page.
South Dakota DPS Test Info
- Questions on real test
- Not published by the DPS
- Passing score
- 80%
- Correct needed
- 80% correct
- Minimum age
- 14 years old
- Testing agency
- Department of Public Safety (Driver Licensing Program)
More South Dakota Tests
Study Tip
Don't just aim to pass this South Dakota Practice Test 1 once - keep taking it until you score 80% or higher two or three times in a row. Read the explanation after every question, even the ones you get right, to lock in the rule before your DPS exam.